Swine fever ordinance certified as ‘urgent’

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., has certified the proposed anti-swine fever ordinance as “urgent” following a public hearing attended by the City Veterinary Office, City Agriculture, and AVM Bernardo Slaughterhouse.

Gamboa said it was agreed by everyone in the hearing that the proposed ordinance must be approved as soon as possible.

The anti-swine fever ordinance aims to ban the entry of tainted pork and pork products in the city.

Gamboa also revealed that during the hearing, City Veterinarian Ma. Agueda Dela Torre proposed that officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Trade and Industry, and other government agencies become part of the city’s task force against African swine fever (ASF).

He added another public hearing will take place on January 21, and this time the agencies recommended by Dela Torre, and barangay officials will be invited.

Under the proposed ordinance, the city’s anti-swine fever task force will be in charge of preventing the importation and sale of hogs and pork products from areas affected by African swine fever.

Earlier, city agriculturist, Atty. Goldwyn Nifras, who heads the city’s anti-African swine fever task force, recommended a ban on the importation of pork into the city amid ongoing matters surrounding African swine fever.